(SportsNetwork.com) - The Portland Trail Blazers can still improve their
playoff positioning and will try to do just that Wednesday night when they
conclude a three-game homestand against the Sacramento Kings.

The Blazers are fifth in the Western Conference, 2 1/2 games behind the
Houston Rockets for fourth. Portland is only 1 1/2 ahead of the Golden State
Warriors, who are sixth.

The Trail Blazers are 1-1 thus far on the residency, but have won five of
their last six.

On Sunday, LaMarcus Aldridge had 25 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks and
the Blazers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 100-94, to secure their first
playoff berth in three seasons on Sunday night.

"We were happy for about five minutes," Batum said of Portland making the
playoffs. "But we have four more games and then the playoffs start."

After Wednesday's challenge from the Kings, the Blazers visit Salt Lake City
on Friday to take on the Utah Jazz. They finish the campaign with home games
against the Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers.

The Kings are lottery-bound for the eighth consecutive season. They've dropped
three straight, including the last two at home.

On Tuesday, the Kings did end Kevin Durant's streak of consecutive games with
25 or more points. but fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 107-92.

"It looked they didn't even want to be out there, to be honest," Kings head
coach Michael Malone said.

DaMarcus Cousins matched Chris Webber (2001-02) for most double-doubles in a
season in Sacramento franchise history with 50 after his 24-point, 14-rebound
effort. Travis Outlaw also had 24 points while Ben McLemore and Jason Thompson
both scored 11 in the Kings' sixth loss in eight games.

Sacramento will visit the Clippers on Saturday, then host the Minnesota
Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns to polish off the campaign.

Portland has won two of three this season against the Kings, but only two
straight as the host. The Blazers are 9-3 in their last 12 against Sacramento
in Portland.